In this episode of My Podcast Story, I had a fantastic chat with Bob Lement, the creative mind behind the long-running Static Radio. Bob took us back to the early days—pre-podcasting, when he was recording shows over the telephone and uploading RealAudio files to the web! We explored how the podcasting landscape has changed from a scrappy, no-rules hobby to a full-blown industry, and Bob shared all about keeping a show going for over 25 years (and why consistency beats perfection every time). We also dove into the behind-the-scenes of juggling two podcasts, creative partnerships, and how passion—not money—keeps you in the game. My hope is you walk away inspired by Bob’s dedication and reminded that the real magic of podcasting is about having fun, sharing stories, and connecting with people around the world. Thanks for tuning in!

Connect with Bob Lement

• Website: https://staticradio.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHvrrdLLj84w8-fp1UnBTAA

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Chapters

00:00 - Launching a Podcast Before Podcasting Existed

01:14 - Static Radio: Comedy, Paranormal, and the Unusual

03:46 - “Skype’s Dead!”: Tech That Built the Podcast

05:24 - Secret Origins: Pre-Podcast Underground

07:32 - The Struggle: Making Money—Or Not

09:51 - Why Monetization Was More Hassle Than Help

11:27 - Mondo Frico: Blending UFOs, Humor, and Heart

13:49 - The Dogman Song You Have to Hear

14:38 - Animated Cats & the YouTube Experiment

16:34 - “Podcasting’s Third Boom”: The 2020 Wakeup

17:32 - This Animation Broke My Podcast Workflow

19:14 - Predicting Podcasting’s Animated Future

19:35 - A Real-Time, Zero-Edit Podcast Process

22:43 - How A.I. and Music Transform Their Second Show

25:05 - The Industry Shift No One Expected

27:05 - Why Celebrities are Taking Over Podcasting

28:18 - Phones Killed Radio, and Changed Everything

29:28 - The Harsh Truth About Podcast Monetization

32:22 - A Listener’s Retirement Cake Changed Everything

35:24 - Managing Podcasts, Family, and a Full-Time Job

36:24 - “My House Burned Down—But I Kept Recording”

39:48 - Why Consistency Matters More Than Talent

42:14 - The Marketing Grind Every Podcaster Faces

44:23 - Burnout, Real Talk, and Making it Work

47:40 - The Unfiltered Secret to Audience Growth

49:18 - Why Your Show Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect